Journeys Through Bookland Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Journeys Through Bookland novel. A total of 424 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Journeys Through Bookland.by Charles H. Sylvester.VOL 2.AESOP Many centuries ago, more t
Journeys Through Bookland.by Charles H. Sylvester.VOL 2.AESOP Many centuries ago, more than six hundred years before Christ was born, there lived in Greece a man by the name of Aesop. We do not know very much about him, and no one can tell exactly what he
- 324 Nor did this magnanimous quality escape the discernment of the good people of Nieuw Nederlandts; on the contrary, so much were they struck with the independent will and vigorous resolution displayed on all occasions by their new governor that they univers
- 323 WALTER THE DOUBTER It was in the year of our Lord 1629 that Mynheer Wouter Van Twiller was appointed governor of the province of Nieuw Nederlandts, under the commission and control of their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Netherla
- 322 As yet his dreams and speculations had turned to little personal profit, and he was as much a lackland as ever. Still, he carried a high head in the community; if his sugar-loaf hat was rather the worse for wear, he set it off with a taller c.o.c.k's tai
- 321 The last two years of this time had been pa.s.sed in Europe, where he had been sent to recover his health; and it is safe to say that thoughts of his legal studies troubled young Irving but little during this interesting trip. If as a boy he had been thri
- 320 "Safe as yet, lads! Heave me a line, or he'll have me after all."But ere the brute reappeared, the old man was safe on board."The Lord has stood by me," panted he, as he shot the water from his ears. "We went down together: I knew the Indian trick,
- 319 "Free? Then you cannot be countrymen of mine! But pardon an old man, my son, if he has spoken too hastily in the bitterness of his own experience. But who and whence are you? And why are you bringing into this lonely wilderness that gold--for I know too
- 318 Their arrival settled the matter. All the Spaniards fell but three or four, who scrambled down the crannies of the cliff."Let not one of them escape! Slay them as Israel slew Amalek!" cried Yeo, as he bent over; and ere the wretches could reach a place
- 317 A fortnight or more has pa.s.sed in severe toil;[180-3] but not more severe than they have endured many a time before. Bidding farewell once and forever to the green ocean of the eastern plains, they have crossed the Cordillera; they have taken a longing
- 316 Reach the mooring? Rather say, While rock stands or water runs, Not a s.h.i.+p will leave the bay!"Then was called a council straight.Brief and bitter the debate: "Here's the English at our heels; would you have them take in tow All that's left us of
- 315 In 1829 Was.h.i.+ngton Irving lived for some time within the walls of the Alhambra and studied its history and the legends of Spain.These he has embodied in a charming book, from which we draw a description of the Alhambra.We now found ourselves in a deep
- 314 [Ill.u.s.tration]THE FALL OF THE ALAMO Texas began its struggle for independence from Mexico in September, 1835, driven to it by the fact that under the rule of the new republic their treatment was little better than it had been while Mexico herself was u
- 313 As they floated quietly down a clear and placid stream, conversing about the figures they had just pa.s.sed, they were interrupted by the sound of rapids before them; and a ma.s.s of floating timber, trunks and branches of trees, was swept from the mouth
- 312 "I no longer hesitated what to do. I resolved to lash myself securely to the water-cask upon which I now held, to cut it loose from the counter, and to throw myself with it into the water. I attracted my brother's attention by signs, pointed to the floa
- 311 The "little cliff," upon whose edge he had so carelessly thrown himself down to rest that the weightier portion of his body hung over it, while he was only kept from falling by the tenure of his elbow on its extreme and slippery edge--this "little clif
- 310 THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE For some time the Greeks had known that danger was threatening them, and in 480 B. C. they learned that it was well-nigh at their gates. Xerxes, the "Great King," whose heralds when announcing a decree began with the words, "A
- 309 THE RETREAT OF CORTES[63-*]_By_ WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT There was no longer any question as to the expediency of evacuating the capital. The only doubt was as to the time of doing so, and the route.The Spanish commander called a council of officers to deliber
- 308 This time we sent Major Russell and Captain Evans with their companies to bring on the battle.When they got near the fort, they saw that the top of it was lined with friendly Indians crying out as loud as they could roar--"How-de-do, brothers! How-de-do!
- 307 For the next nine days, Crockett gives an account of their privations and sufferings, their brave and successful defense, and the marked execution they were able to make among the Mexicans who showed themselves within range. On the third of March they had
- 306 Journeys Through Bookland.Vol. 8.by Charles H. Sylvester.RINGROSE AND HIS BUCCANEERS[1-1]Just two days after we took possession of the town of Santa Maria, we departed thence on Sat.u.r.day, April 17th, 1680. We all embarked in thirty-five canoes, which w
- 305 "As thou art in such a willing mood," said Don Quixote, "may heaven aid thee; lay on and I'll retire."Sancho returned to his task with so much resolution that he soon had the bark stripped off several trees, such was the severity with which he whippe
- 304 "There is no occasion," said the Distressed One; "I will be bail for him, and I know that Malambruno has nothing tricky or treacherous about him; you may mount without any fear, Senor Don Quixote; on my head be it if any harm befalls you."Don Quixote
- 303 "What dost thou think of this, Sancho?" said Don Quixote. "Are there any enchantments that can prevail against true valor? The enchanters may be able to rob me of good fortune, but of fort.i.tude and courage they can not."Sancho paid the crowns, the c
- 302 He left the basin on the ground, with which Don Quixote contented himself, saying that the pagan had shown his discretion and imitated the beaver, which finding himself pressed by the hunters bites and cuts off with its teeth that for which by its natural
- 301 DON QUIXOTE _By_ CERVANTES INTRODUCTORY NOTE Unlike many of his cla.s.s, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the greatest of the old Spanish writers, was born to a changeful and busy life. The year 1547 marked his birth, and during the sixty-nine years of his l
- 300 A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF G.o.d _By_ ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING They say that G.o.d lives very high, But if you look above the pines You cannot see our G.o.d, and why?And if you dig down in the mines You never see Him in the gold; Though, from Him, all that'
- 299 1. What does the stainless ivory in the cubes indicate?2. What is the meaning of the veins, streaks, and spots and the dark crimson flush in the spheres?3. Are the letters L, I, E, always visible? Does this mean that lies are not always known to be lies t
- 298 NOTE.--"He says in a letter that he felt, as he walked up the hills, very forlorn and desolate indeed, not knowing what was to become of him in the big world, which grew bigger as he ascended, and yet darker with the coming on of night. The sun had alrea
- 297 Near the town of Haverhill, Ma.s.sachusetts, in the old homestead of his father's family, the poet John Greenleaf Whittier was born December 17, 1807. Like all the other children who generation after generation had come to live in this Quaker dwelling, h
- 296 "You can kill the body, Mr. Hands, but not the spirit; you must know that already," I replied. "O'Brien there is in another world, and maybe watching us.""Ah!" says he. "Well, that's unfort'nate--appears as if killing parties was a waste of time
- 295 For some time she had been doing the worst thing possible for me--standing still. She headed nearly due south, yawing, of course, all the time. Each time she fell off her sails partly filled, and these brought her in a moment right to the wind again. I ha
- 294 One cut with my sea-gully, and the _Hispaniola_ would go humming down the tide.So far so good; but it next occurred to my recollection that a taut hawser, suddenly cut, is a thing as dangerous as a kicking horse. Ten to one, if I were so foolhardy as to c
- 293 THE REAPER'S DREAM _By_ THOMAS BUCHANAN READ The road was lone; the gra.s.s was dank With night-dews on the briery bank Whereon a weary reaper sank.His garb was old; his visage tanned; The rusty sickle in his hand Could find no work in all the land.He sa
- 292 But no,--what here we call our life is such, So little to be loved, and thou so much, That I should ill requite thee to constrain Thy unbound spirit into bounds again.Thou--as a gallant bark, from Albion's[339-8] coast, (The storms all weathered and the
- 291 "But, wretched man!" cried she, "he only sold it for our sakes!"The joiner looked at his wife and son with astonishment. The latter related how he had entered into a negotiation with Master Benoit, who had positively refused to sell his business unles
- 290 "Ah! give him me, wife; I must look at him."The mother seemed to give up his son to him with reluctance, and stayed before him with her arms extended, as if she feared the child would have a fall. The nurse began again in her turn to speak, and renewed
- 289 The bull's-horn thorn does not grow at the mines in the forest, nor are the small ants attending on them found there. They seem specially adapted for the tree, and I have seen them nowhere else. Besides the little ants, I found another ant that lives on
- 288 SALMON FIs.h.i.+NG _By_ RUDYARD KIPLING California and I, crying for salmon, reached Portland, and the real-estate man to whom I had been intrusted by "Portland" the insurance man, met us in the street saying that fifteen miles away, across country, we
- 287 Many a village Bose, fit only to course a mud-turtle in a victualling cellar, sported his heavy quarters in the woods, without the knowledge of his master, and ineffectually smelled at old fox burrows and woodchucks' holes; led perchance by some slight c
- 286 When I returned to Nkongon Mboumba I found there my old friend Akondogo, chief of one of the Commi villages, who had just returned from the Ngobi country, a little further south. To my great surprise and pleasure, he had brought for me a living gorilla, a
- 285 "Ay, very glad," said the younger man, who was looking at Maggie's silver thimble and other small matters that had been taken from her pocket. He returned them all except the thimble to the younger woman, with some observation, and she immediately rest
- 284 "Sitting under the tree, against the pond," said Tom, apparently indifferent to everything but the string and the turkey c.o.c.k."Then go and fetch her in this minute, you naughty boy. And how could you think o' going to the pond, and taking your sist
- 283 Maggie seemed to be listening to a chorus of reproach and derision. Her first flush came from anger, which gave her a transient power of defiance, and Tom thought she was braving it out, supported by the recent appearance of the pudding and custard. Under
- 282 Well! there was no hope for it; he was gone now, and Maggie could think of no comfort but to sit down by the hollow, or wander by the hedgerow, and fancy it was all different, refas.h.i.+oning her little world into just what she should like it to be.IV Ma
- 281 she added, as became a fearful woman, accusing she didn't know whom of she didn't know what."Nay, nay, she's none drownded," said Mr. Tulliver. "You've been naughty to her, I doubt, Tom?""I'm sure I haven't, father," said Tom indignantly. "I
- 280 "Oh, I _can't_ guess, Tom," said Maggie, impatiently."Don't be a spitfire, else I won't tell you," said Tom, thrusting his hand back into his pocket and looking determined."No, Tom," said Maggie, imploringly, laying hold of the arm that was held
- 279 And alone dwell for ever The kings of the sea."But, children, at midnight, When soft the winds blow, When clear falls the moonlight, When spring-tides are low; When sweet airs come seaward From heaths starr'd with broom, And high rocks throw mildly On t
- 278 His musket falls slack; his face, dark and grim, Grows gentle with memories tender, As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep, For their mother,--may Heaven defend her!The moon seems to s.h.i.+ne just as brightly as then, That night when the love yet
- 277 What care I for the men, sailor?I'm not their mother-- How's my boy--my boy?Tell me of him and no other!How's my boy--my boy?"THE SOLDIER'S DREAM _By_ THOMAS CAMPBELL Our bugles sang truce, for the night-cloud had lower'd, And the sentinel stars se
- 276 Sitting down with all my previous attempts before me I searched through those dozens of sketches, till at last I found just one line I liked. That was, 'Lest we forget.' Round these words _The Recessional_ was written."G.o.d of our fathers, known of ol
- 275 QUEEN VICTORIA _By_ ANNA MCCALEB George III, King of England, was by no means fortunate in his sons, for there was in the most of them little of which a father could be proud.Edward, Duke of Kent, the fourth son, was by far the best; he was honorable, gen
- 274 NOTE.--The Battle of Balaklava, in which the charge commemorated by Tennyson in this poem occurred, was one of the important engagements of the Crimean War, between Russia on the one hand and Turkey, France and England on the other. The battle was fought
- 273 I soon began to distinguish cows amid the throng. One just in front of me seemed to my liking, and I pushed close to her side. Dropping the reins I fired, holding the muzzle of the gun within a foot of her shoulder. Quick as lightning she sprang at Paulin
- 272 [Ill.u.s.tration: GRADUALLY I CAME ABREAST OF HIM]Pledging myself (and I redeemed the pledge) to take my revenge at a future opportunity, I looked round for some indications to show me where I was, and what course I ought to pursue; I might as well have l
- 271 The halt continued until evening rendered objects indistinct and uncertain to the eye. Then they resumed their route, and, favored by the darkness, pushed silently and vigorously toward the western sh.o.r.e.Although the rugged outline of mountain, to whic
- 270 "Ugh!" exclaimed Uncas, nearly at the moment that the light tap his father had made on the side of the canoe notified them of the vicinity of danger."What now?" asked the scout; "the lake is as smooth as if the winds had never blown, and I can see al
- 269 Black Hawk's worst adviser was Neapope, his second in command, and a terrible liar. He also visited Canada and claimed that the British whom he had seen stood ready to help Black Hawk with men, arms and ammunition, and that a steamboat would bring them t
- 268 [35-14] _Uprist_ is an old form for _uprose_.[35-15] It was this att.i.tude of the sailors toward the mariner's brutal act of killing the bird that brought punishment upon them; they cared nothing for the death of the harmless bird, but only for its effe
- 267 How loudly his sweet voice he rears!He loves to talk with marineres That come from a far countree."He kneels at morn, and noon, and eve-- He hath a cus.h.i.+on plump: It is the moss that wholly hides The rotted old oak-stump."The skiff-boat neared: I he
- 266 "Till noon we quietly sailed on, Yet never a breeze did breathe: Slowly and smoothly went the s.h.i.+p, Moved onward from beneath."Under the keel nine fathom deep, From the land of mist and snow, The spirit slid: and it was he That made the s.h.i.+p to
- 265 "One after one, by the star-dogged Moon, Too quick for groan or sigh, Each turned his face with a ghastly pang, And cursed me with his eye."Four times fifty living men, (And I heard nor sigh nor groan) With heavy thump, a lifeless lump, They dropped dow
- 264 The ice did split with a thunder-fit; The helmsman steered us through.[Ill.u.s.tration: I SHOT THE ALBATROSS]"And a good south wind sprung up behind;[34-12]The Albatross did follow, And every day, for food or play, Came to the mariner's hollo!"In mist
- 263 The old governor was in a towering pa.s.sion, when he heard of this insult to his flag and capture of his corporal. For a time he stormed about the Moorish halls, and vapored about the bastions, and looked down fire and sword upon the palace of the captai
- 262 _By_ SIR WALTER SCOTT Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances!Honored and blest be the evergreen pine!Long may the tree, in his banner that glances, Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line!Heaven send it happy dew, Earth lend it sap anew, Gayly to b
- 261 The wide-spreading pond, and the mill[11-4] that stood by it; The bridge and the rock where the cataract fell; The cot of my father, the dairy house[11-5] nigh it, And e'en the rude bucket which hung in the well-- The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound buc
- 260 Journeys Through Bookland.Vol. 7.by Charles H. Sylvester.THE DAFFODILS _By_ WILLIAM WORDSWORTH I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd,-- A host of golden daffodils Beside the lake, beneath t
- 259 TO MY INFANT SON _By_ Thomas Hood Thou happy, happy elf!(But stop, first let me kiss away that tear,) Thou tiny image of myself!(My love, he's poking peas into his ear,) Thou merry, laughing sprite, With spirits, feather light, Untouched by sorrow, and u
- 258 'Raich hether that bone o' sheep's head we had at dinner yesterday, Nell,' says the man o' the house.'Oyeh, don't mind it,' says my father; 'let it be as it is.''Sure if it improves it, you may as well,' says they.'Baithers.h.i.+n!' says my
- 257 THE MODERN BELLE _By_ STARK She sits in a fas.h.i.+onable parlor, And rocks in her easy chair; She is clad in silks and satins, And jewels are in her hair; She winks and giggles and simpers, And simpers and giggles and winks; And though she talks but litt
- 256 "To be sure--of course! I knew you were jesting. Now, uncle, all that Kate and myself wish at present, is that you would oblige us--as regards the _time_--you know, uncle--in short, when will it be most convenient for yourself that the wedding shall--sha
- 255 I was at a great loss to conceive what reason Lieutenant-governor Hamilton could have for wis.h.i.+ng a truce of three days on such terms as he proposed. Numbers said it was a scheme to get me into their possession. I had a different opinion and no idea o
- 254 _By_ GEORGE ROGERS CLARK[428-2]Everything being ready, on the 5th of February, after receiving a lecture and absolution from the priest, we crossed the Kaskaskia River with one hundred and seventy men, marched about three miles and encamped, where we lay
- 253 "Wise men," as Poor Richard says, "learn by others' harm; fools scarcely by their own;" but _Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum_.[416-5]Many a one, for the sake of finery on the back, has gone with a hungry belly and half-starved his family.
- 252 Sometimes, when there was a brood of young ducks about, it would hold out a piece of bread in one hand and, when it had tempted a duckling within reach, seize it by the other, and kill it with a bite in the breast. There was such an uproar amongst the fow
- 251 ELEPHANT HUNTING _By_ ROUALEYN GORDON c.u.mMING NOTE.--Mr. c.u.mming, a native of Scotland, was always pa.s.sionately fond of hunting. Even in boyhood he devoted most of his time to sports of the field, and showed a great fondness for all forms of natural
- 250 As soon as the day began to break, I put on my shoes and climbed a hill--the ruggedest scramble I ever undertook--falling, the whole way between big blocks of granite or leaping from one to another. When I got to the top the dawn was come. There was no si
- 249 [362-4] The poem is supposed to have been written in the yard of Stoke-Pogis church, a little building with a square tower, the whole covered with a riotous growth of ivy vines. The church is in the country, not many miles from Windsor Castle; and even to
- 248 NOTE.--A mournful song written to express grief at the loss of some friend or relative, and at the same time to praise the dead person, is known as an elegy. Sometimes the word has a wider meaning, and includes a poem which expresses the same ideas but ap
- 247 The hall was dress'd with holly green; Forth to the wood did merry-men go, To gather in the mistletoe.[357-9]Then open'd wide the baron's hall To va.s.sal,[357-10] tenant,[357-11] serf,[357-12] and all; Power laid his rod of rule aside,[357-13]And cere
- 246 "Fred!" said Scrooge.Dear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started! Scrooge had forgotten, for the moment, about her sitting in the corner with the footstool, or he wouldn't have done it, on any account."Why bless my soul!" cried Fred, "who's
- 245 "There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!" cried Scrooge, starting off again, and frisking round the fireplace. "There's the door, by which the Ghost of Jacob Marley entered! There's the corner where the Ghost of Christmas Present sat! There's t
- 244 "Why, that you were a good wife," replied Bob."Everybody knows that!" said Peter."Very well observed, my boy!" cried Bob. "I hope they do. 'Heartily sorry,' he said, 'for your good wife. If I can be of service to you in any way,' he said, givin
- 243 A pale light, rising in the outer air, fell straight upon the bed; and on it, plundered and bereft, unwatched, unwept, uncared for, was the body of this man.Scrooge glanced towards the Phantom. Its steady hand was pointed to the head. The cover was so car
- 242 "So I am told," returned the second. "Cold, isn't it?""Seasonable for Christmas time. You're not a skater, I suppose?""No. No. Something else to think of. Good morning!" Not another word.That was their meeting, their conversation, and their part
- 241 "To-night at midnight. Hark! The time is drawing near."The chimes were ringing the three quarters past eleven at that moment."Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask," said Scrooge, looking intently at the Spirit's robe, "but I see something
- 240 A light shone from the window of a hut, and swiftly they advanced towards it. Pa.s.sing through the wall of mud and stone, they found a cheerful company a.s.sembled round a glowing fire. An old, old man and woman, with their children and their children's
- 239 "Here's Martha, mother!" cried the two young Cratchits. "Hurrah! There's _such_ a goose, Martha!""Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!" said Mrs.Cratchit, kissing her a dozen times, and taking off her shawl and bonnet for her wi
- 238 STAVE THREE _The Second of the Three Spirits_ Awaking in the middle of a prodigiously tough snore, and sitting up in bed to get his thoughts together, Scrooge had no occasion to be told that the bell was again upon the stroke of One. He felt that he was r
- 237 "What is the matter?" asked the Ghost."Nothing particular," said Scrooge."Something, I think?" the Ghost insisted."No," said Scrooge. "No. I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now! That's all."His former self turned do
- 236 Then, with a rapidity of transition very foreign to his usual character, he said, in pity for his former self, "Poor boy!" and cried again."I wish," Scrooge muttered, putting his hand in his pocket, and looking about him, after drying his eyes with hi
- 235 "Ding, dong!""Half-past!" said Scrooge."Ding, dong!""A quarter to it," said Scrooge."Ding, dong!" "The hour itself," said Scrooge, triumphantly, "and nothing else!"He spoke before the hour bell sounded, which it now did with a deep, dull, ho
- 234 It was a habit with Scrooge, whenever he became thoughtful, to put his hands in his breeches pockets. Pondering on what the Ghost had said, he did so now, but without lifting his eyes, or getting off his knees. "You must have been very slow about it, Jac
- 233 Quite satisfied, he closed his door, and locked himself in; double-locked himself in, which was not his custom. Thus secured against surprise, he took off his cravat; put on his dressing-gown and slippers, and his nightcap; and sat down before the fire to
- 232 His nephew left the room without an angry word, notwithstanding. He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge; for he returned them cordially."There's another fellow," mut
- 231 A CHRISTMAS CAROL _By_ CHARLES d.i.c.kENS STAVE ONE _Marley's Ghost_ Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge
- 230 [Ill.u.s.tration]CHARLES d.i.c.kENS "To begin my life with the beginning of my life," d.i.c.kens makes one of his heroes say, "I record that I was born (as I have been informed and believe) on a Friday, at twelve o'clock at night." d.i.c.kens was bor
- 229 [226-1] Capitals and punctuation as written by Payne.AULD LANG SYNE[228-1]_By_ ROBERT BURNS NOTE.--The song as we know it is not the first song to bear that t.i.tle, nor is it entirely original with Robert Burns. It is said that the second and third stanz
- 228 "Come, old Henri, one more draught," said the peasant, refilling the beggar's gla.s.s; "if you mean to finish your round you must take courage.""That one always finds here," said the beggar with a smile; "there are not many houses in the parish wh
- 227 "Ah, you like it, little mole!" cried the peasant, whose face was radiant at the sight of the child's pleasure; "take it, old man, take it; it is nothing but sugar and honey."He placed the gingerbread in the hands of the little hunchback, who tremble
- 226 A young man was walking through a forest, and in spite of the approach of night, in spite of the mist that grew denser every moment, he was walking slowly, paying no heed either to the weather or to the hour.His dress of green cloth, his buckskin gaiters,
- 225 So, on the b.l.o.o.d.y sand, Sohrab lay dead; And the great Rustum drew his horseman's cloak Down o'er his face, and sate by his dead son.As those black granite pillars, once high-rear'd By Jems.h.i.+d in Persepolis, to bear His house, now 'mid their